CVE-2021-24682 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability was discovered in the Cool Tag Cloud WordPress plugin before version 2.26. This vulnerability could allow users with low-level roles like Contributor to execute malicious code.

Understanding CVE-2021-24682

This CVE involves a security flaw in the Cool Tag Cloud plugin, enabling Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

What is CVE-2021-24682?

The Cool Tag Cloud WordPress plugin, versions earlier than 2.26, fails to escape the style attribute of the cool_tag_cloud shortcode, leading to Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities.

The Impact of CVE-2021-24682

An attacker with a role as low as Contributor could exploit this vulnerability to inject and execute malicious scripts on the target site. This could result in unauthorized access, data theft, and other serious security breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-24682

This section provides specific technical details about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user input, allowing contributors to insert malicious code that gets executed on the site.

Affected Systems and Versions

Cool Tag Cloud versions prior to 2.26 are impacted by this vulnerability, exposing WordPress sites to potential attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with Contributor access can abuse the unescaped style attribute of the cool_tag_cloud shortcode to inject and execute malicious scripts.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect your WordPress site from CVE-2021-24682, immediate actions and long-term security practices are essential.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Cool Tag Cloud plugin to version 2.26 or higher immediately.
Restrict user roles and permissions to minimize the impact of potential exploits.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit plugins and themes for known vulnerabilities.
Educate users with site access about security best practices and potential risks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates released by plugin developers. Apply them promptly to mitigate new vulnerabilities and ensure overall site security.